The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-05-11
A NEW TELEPHONE.
Interesting Experiments Made Recent
Between Paris and Brussels.

Interesting Experiments Made Recently
Between Paris and Brussels.
Twas invited to be present recently
at some telephone experiments between
Paris and Brussels with a new ap-
paratus known as the "micro-telephons
push-button. These experiments,
which were made on behalf of the two
telegraphic administrative depart
ments of France and Belgium, produced
a very lively impression on those pres
emit, and I believe the new apparatus
to be the most perfect yet produced.
AS its name indicates, it has the form
| of an ordinary electric push-button.
When the button has been pushed in,
and has made sound at the other ex-
tremity, it is taken out, and is found to
be attached to a long electric wire.
There is thus exposed the telephone
plate, which is extremely sensitive, so
that where it is necessary to speak at
short distances it is not necessary to
come close to the instrument. For
communications in the same
street or in the same house.
the operator places the upper part
near himself, and without changing
his position he can speak with the
correspondent at the opposite extremi-
ty. He is not obliged to put his ear to
the part which contains the button and
brings back the reply. Thus for short
distances those who make use of this
apparatus speak in their ordinary tone,
without changing their customary at
titudes. They may sit Or walk about,
and speak just as if those they are adj
dressing were present. When great
distances intervene, as in the expert
ments performed to-day, In which the
speakers and hearers were separated
by two hundred miles, it is necessary
to come nearer to the apparatus, but
without being obliged to speak quite
close to it.
But what makes this apparatus the
most successful of telephone instru-
ments is, that it can be made for half a
crown-that is to say, for not moro
than the price of the ordinary push
button. Now, as it can be fitted to the
electric wire of the ordinary ringing
apparatus, it follows that it introduces
a complete change in our ordinary
modes Of intercourse. At front
doors, in the interior rooms of
houses, everywhere in short, where the
ordinary electric buttons are used, the
telephone button may be introduced.
1t will by this means be possible to give
or receive instructions, to know who is
knocking at the door, to communicate
in short, by speaking as well as by |
ringing. On the advantage of this in
everyday life it is unnecessary to
dwell. The railway companies are
experiments with this APP
paratus as a means OF communication
between compartments of carriages. It
is being fitted up on trial in hotels.
have seen it at work at the door of
private house, where l was replied to
by those within without their having
stirred from their places, or without
The door being opened. Between Paris
and Brussels, this instrument, costing
half crown, worked with admirable
precision, and it was not altogether
without an eerie feeling that / listened
o a voice with slight Belgian accent
coming to ME from distance OF more
han two hundred miles.
The inventor is Dr.. Cornelius Herr,
me day nominated grand officer of the
legion of Honor, next day described
IS an emissary of Germany, and lastly
IS the friend, adviser and confldant Of
Boulanger He is in reality
IN electrician whose inventive talent
las been stimulated by his residence
n America, where there is boundless
lemand for improvement in electrical
apparatus and in all mechanical con-
rivances. The French Minister of
'osts and telegraphs, under whose
auspices the experiments were carried
nut, has approved the report made to
lim, and proposes to give orders for
he introduction Of the new apparatus
nto all the public administrative de-